* Ye 2011 Mock Draft Thread!! *

[Ochmed Jones]

If we can't get Dareus I want to trade back and grab Kerrigan (as opposed to Quinn) a little later in the first round, and amass picks for next year. While I'm intruiged by Alan Bailey he seems like he's too heavy to play OLB and too light to play DE.

So far these are the players I want in the draft.

Ryan Kerrigan

Mark Barron
Leonard Hankerson
Randall Cobb
Phil Taylor
Marcus Gilbert
Zane Taylor
Andrew Jackson
DaRel Scott
Owen Marecic
Andy Dalton

A lot of good players on your list that I like especailly the top three. Hankerson could be the player Chad Jackson was asupposed to be in our offense.

I really hope Dalton is OK and does not need a red shirt year next year.

 

[jsull87]

No No No, just say no to Barksdale. He is a miserable candidate for OT in our offense. He would be an absolute flop in a zone blocking scheme. No read or recognition skills whatsoever. He needs to be in power scheme like Dallas, Oakland or Philly.

yeah i know what you mean. I was really stuck here because i want an OT but i just don't know if the value will be there with this draft class. I do however think an OT is needed to develop behind Light because i don't think Kaczur is a long term option.

 

[Metaphors]

Can't get a good enough read yet on the Oakland pick to do a mock, but there are some players that I have zeroed in on that I could definitely see as Patriots:

CB Rashad Carmichael, Va Tech (5'11", 185)...Prospect that seems to be flying under the radar. Besides his cover skills, is willing (and generally effective) in run support and lives in the film room. Remind you of anyone?

OG Danny Watkins, Baylor (6'3", 310)...LT that will need to slide inside to OG. Strong, nasty and relentless when he locks on. Equally solid in pass protection and run blocking. Age (26) and inexperience (only played football for a couple of years) will cause him to slip, but dude seriously reminds me of Mankins.

RB Greg Little, UNC (6'3", 230)...Wait, isn't he a WR? Yep, but he played some RB at UNC. He is a big boy so I'm assuming he will be able to pass protect and he would be a matchup nightmare out of the backfield. Think of the Anquan Boldin conversion but just in reverse. If he can play hoops at UNC, I'll find a way to use him on the field. Suspension this year will having him sliding as well.

OC Ryan Bartholomew, Syracuse (6'2", 298)...Not overly big but disproportionately strong. Athletic and nimble enough to pull and get to the 2nd level. Moved to center this year and his coaches have remarked on his intelligence and ability to make all the line calls.

So I'm keeping my powder dry on the top 3 picks, but it looks like there are some Patriot type players that will be available in the middle rounds.

 

[JerseyDevil26]

OC Ryan Bartholomew, Syracuse (6'2", 298)...Not overly big but disproportionately strong. Athletic and nimble enough to pull and get to the 2nd level. Moved to center this year and his coaches have remarked on his intelligence and ability to make all the line calls.

As a Syracuse fan, I don't see Ryan Bartholomew really making too much of an impact in the NFL draft this year. Although I do also believe his smarts for the position are a plus, I just think he is too undersized. Don't get me wrong though, I'd like to see him do well in the NFL.

 

[Gator Mike]

As a Syracuse fan, I don't see Ryan Bartholomew really making too much of an impact in the NFL draft this year. Although I do also believe his smarts for the position are a plus, I just think he is too undersized. Don't get me wrong though, I'd like to see him do well in the NFL.

Dan Koppen - Official New England Patriots Biography

Dan Koppen. 6-2, 296.

 

[Metaphors]

As a Syracuse fan, I don't see Ryan Bartholomew really making too much of an impact in the NFL draft this year. Although I do also believe his smarts for the position are a plus, I just think he is too undersized. Don't get me wrong though, I'd like to see him do well in the NFL.

I hear you and I've only seen him a couple of times. I generally try to look teams that seem to be doing abnormally well. The Orange seem to qualify this year. They looked good beating WV and hung with BC, including an impressive TD drive in the 2nd half.

Bartholomew is undersized in general but not really for what the Pats ask of their center position. Given that Koppen is signed through 2011 and still playing at a high level, he should have time to do some development in Camp Scar. If he can hold up against the bigger NTs he will face (at least as well as Koppen does today), I really like his ability to move bigger players laterally with his upper body strength. But as you point out, if he doesn't have enough sand in his pants he would just get driven back into Brady...and that is the one thing that just can't happen.

 

[SanAngeloState]

1a Cameron Jordan DE
1b. Justin Houston OLB Georgia
2a. trade down to late 2nd Ras I Dowling CB/S
2b. Jernel Jerrigan WR Troy
3. Stephen Schilling G Michigan
3. Ryan Williams RB V Tech
5. Ryan Pugh C Auburn

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Can't get a good enough read yet on the Oakland pick to do a mock, but there are some players that I have zeroed in on that I could definitely see as Patriots:

CB Rashad Carmichael, Va Tech (5'11", 185)...Prospect that seems to be flying under the radar. Besides his cover skills, is willing (and generally effective) in run support and lives in the film room. Remind you of anyone?

OG Danny Watkins, Baylor (6'3", 310)...LT that will need to slide inside to OG. Strong, nasty and relentless when he locks on. Equally solid in pass protection and run blocking. Age (26) and inexperience (only played football for a couple of years) will cause him to slip, but dude seriously reminds me of Mankins.

RB Greg Little, UNC (6'3", 230)...Wait, isn't he a WR? Yep, but he played some RB at UNC. He is a big boy so I'm assuming he will be able to pass protect and he would be a matchup nightmare out of the backfield. Think of the Anquan Boldin conversion but just in reverse. If he can play hoops at UNC, I'll find a way to use him on the field. Suspension this year will having him sliding as well.

OC Ryan Bartholomew, Syracuse (6'2", 298)...Not overly big but disproportionately strong. Athletic and nimble enough to pull and get to the 2nd level. Moved to center this year and his coaches have remarked on his intelligence and ability to make all the line calls.

So I'm keeping my powder dry on the top 3 picks, but it looks like there are some Patriot type players that will be available in the middle rounds.

I like watching Watkins play. He is really nasty and surprisingly effective. This year is the first year Baylor is in a bowl game since the 1990's? I think. Great story in college football and although the running QB gets all the ink, this kid is a major part of their O Line success this season. Great call on him. If he does well in the all star games, he could be a day three target.

Little is a matchup nightmare. I wonder if any of the suspended UNC players will be invited to the combine or lesser all star games? If not their pro day will be huge for them.

 

[VJCPatriot]

His 40 was between 4.6 - 4.7, faster than Emmit Smith's. I wouldnt mind looking at some footage of him, perhaps his processing speed isnt that good or his feel for the holes, very interesting.

The problem is he is no Emitt Smith. Can we talk about real prospects now?

 

[Snake Eyes]

The problem is he is no Emitt Smith. Can we talk about real prospects now?

How do you know, have you seen footage of the guy? I havent, so I havent made up my mind yet.

Keep in mind, what would your thoughts on Danny Woodhead have been if his name was thrown around before we grabbed him?

 

[Off The Grid]

Regarding Joique Bell...

His 40 was between 4.6 - 4.7, faster than Emmit Smith's. I wouldnt mind looking at some footage of him, perhaps his processing speed isnt that good or his feel for the holes, very interesting.

The problem is he is no Emitt Smith. Can we talk about real prospects now?

* How do you know, have you seen footage of the guy?

I havent, so I havent made up my mind yet.

* Keep in mind, what would your thoughts on Danny Woodhead have been if his name was thrown around before we grabbed him?

Snake Eyes FTW.

 

[Off The Grid]

The more I think about it, the more entrenched I become in my resistance to the idea of Trading Up:

The #1 ~ #15 Range

* DE Nick Fairley would cost a King's Ransom, and his resume is WAFER thin.
* F DaQuan Bowers is exactly the same. Do we want to bet the Franchise on a Contract Year Player??
* CB Patrick Peterson is a Corner. We have TWO High Grade Corners, and Butler is on the rise.
* CB Prince Amukamara is also a Corner, as Corners are wont to be.
* F Robert Quinn is Pure Trouble.

On the other hand, this Draft Class is FESTOONED with High Grade Talent at Defensive End AND Flanker.

That makes the likelihood of a lot of High Caliber Talent sinking...strong.

The #15 to #50 Range

* DE JJ Watt ~ Absolutely PERFECT for us, but "Raw" and "light on stats" tells me he won't go as early as most think.
* DE Cameron Heyward ~ An AWESOME fit for us, and his stock ~ "light on stats", once again, is plummeting.
* F Aldon Smith ~ A Pass Rushing DREAM. He, too, had light stats, and he's got an OCEAN of High Grade Competition at his position.
* F Ryan Kerrigan ~ Born to be a Patriot. And the Combine is gonna KILL his Stock.

These are the guys I want.

ALL of them.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

That makes the likelihood of a lot of High Caliber Talent sinking...strong.

The #15 to #50 Range

* DE JJ Watt ~ Absolutely PERFECT for us, but "Raw" and "light on stats" tells me he won't go as early as most think.
* DE Cameron Heyward ~ An AWESOME fit for us, and his stock ~ "light on stats", once again, is plummeting.
* F Aldon Smith ~ A Pass Rushing DREAM. He, too, had light stats, and he's got an OCEAN of High Grade Competition at his position.
* F Ryan Kerrigan ~ Born to be a Patriot. And the Combine is gonna KILL his Stock.

These are the guys I want.

ALL of them.

I actually think that following the combine, Kerrigan's stock will rise and follow a track similar to Chris Long's. Only he won't make it as high as Long. Kerrigan has to convince NFL staffs that he is not maxed out on size, if he does that and runs decently at the combine, then we might be lucky to get him at #15.

 

[UofApatsfan]

2a.) Stephen Wisniewski C

Would like someone in there to be fighting Koppen/Connely for a starting spot and if not beating them out at least providing some depth on the line. Hopefully he can turn out for the pats as well as maukice pouncey did for Pit.


2b.) Trading Up using our 6th. OT Joseph Barksdale LSU

Another Olineman to protect Brady and develop behind Light and Vollmer. If you don't like him personally then insert your OT prospect here. But I think a good young tackle to hopefully compete with Kakzur is a good thing.

This would be the PERFECT 2nd round.

Even if Mankins comes back (which I pray he does) Wisniewski is still a great way to use the 33rd pick. In all likelihood he'd immediately be an upgrade over Connolly at guard and would win the starting job. Let him play RG for a year which is probably Koppen's last year, then he'll be ready to take over at C in his 2nd season after a year of learning the offense.

Barksdale is just as talented as any other OT prospect in the draft and would be a great pick if he had to sit behind Light for at least a year. He has pretty good technique and skill to go along with his physical talents, his problem is a lack of intensity at times which would hopefully go away if he's in a situation where he has to earn time.

These selections plus a resigned Mankins has the O-line set up very well for the future w/ the ideal lineup being Barksdale - Mankins - Wisniewski - Connolly/Kazcur - Vollmer.


I also agree with your 1st round picks I just doubt Quinn is gonna be there when NE picks. IMO either Quinn or Kerrigan is a great 1st round pick to play opposite Cunningham.

 

[UofApatsfan]

It's an unlikely proposition but with guys like Fairley and Bowers soaring up draft boards and him no longer being the flavor of the month, Marcell Dareus isn't getting nearly as much attention as he was early on in the season and his place on draft boards is slowly going down.

Right now they're projected to pick at pick #15. This is the best hypothetical i can think of, lets say the Lions are on the clock at #9, Dareus is still on the board but both Amukamara and Peterson have been taken so Detroit doesn't have an ideal player worth the #9 pick to fill their giant need at CB.

Does anyone else think it would be worth it to trade the 15th plus a 3rd rounder to move up to the #9 spot and pick Dareus in that situation or move up in a situation similar to that? There'd be a very good chance either Cleveland or Washington would use him since they both have huge needs up front, while he and Fairley are in their own tier of elite 3-4 DE prospects. If not Dareus is there someone else in the first round anyone thinks it might be worth it to trade up for? If they'd have to give a 2nd rounder to move up for Dareus, HELL NO, but I'd gladly trade the 15th pick + a 3rd rounder for Dareus.

 

[ThreeFour]

Is not a pass rush the #1 priority? How about a DE that can sack the QB?

 

[Snake Eyes]

Is not a pass rush the #1 priority? How about a DE that can sack the QB?

The main job of a 3-4 DE is to eat up blockers so the linebackers can cause havoc in the opposing backfield, we need a DE that can command a double team, a DE in a 4-3 rushes the passer (Michael Strahan, Reggie White, etc).

 

[ZoisKing]

One of the things I look at when thinking about which of these high level prospects to draft is their interviews. That's one reason I like possible Patriots' picks like Brandon Harris, Ryan Kerrigan, and JJ Watt. Those guys are intelligent and well spoken. I believe all three were team captains. Why not make those our first three choices this coming draft?

 

[Snake Eyes]

One of the things I look at when thinking about which of these high level prospects to draft is their interviews. That's one reason I like possible Patriots' picks like Brandon Harris, Ryan Kerrigan, and JJ Watt. Those guys are intelligent and well spoken. I believe all three were team captains. Why not make those our first three choices this coming draft?

Well, I do believe BB values character and intelligence very highly, as do I, but it all comes down to impact: does their character make them a higher value pick than the other players available? If the other players have similar abilities, then yes, if the other guys available have HoF talent but aren't leaders nor cancers, then they might have more total impact and would therefore be a better choice. However if a guy has never before seem, out of this world talent, but is a criminally inclined diva I'll pass on him.

So far I like what I've seen out of Kerrigan and Watt, havent looked into Harris that much yet.

 

[ZoisKing]

Well, I do believe BB values character and intelligence very highly, as do I, but it all comes down to impact: does their character make them a higher value pick than the other players available? If the other players have similar abilities, then yes, if the other guys available have HoF talent but aren't leaders nor cancers, then they might have more total impact and would therefore be a better choice. However if a guy has never before seem, out of this world talent, but is a criminally inclined diva I'll pass on him.

So far I like what I've seen out of Kerrigan and Watt, havent looked into Harris that much yet.

Take a look at Harris on youtube and see what you think. He's well spoken and his cover ability is really nice. Since Peterson is off our radar because of Oakland's winning ways, I decided to look up the other corners in comparison.

Prince-Not a huge fan. Didn't see enough cover ability in the tape I watched. The worst of it was versus Blackmon (a legit NFL receiver, and another well spoken player) where he was turned around often and couldn't keep pace.

Janoris-Very fast and able to get to the ball quickly. Misses a bunch of tackles! Not a good option for us due to over aggressiveness and a gambling nature. Allowed several big plays in the ten minutes of tape I saw.

Harris-Very solid. Ran very well with his assignments and turned his head to track the ball consistently. Based on walter's page, is the fastest of the CBs, and that was reciprocated in what I saw. Listening to his interviews made his on field performance shine even more. This is a Pats type of player.